The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 76

[Gray]

When third period ended I met up with Cam and we headed to the counseling office. I didn’t want to wait through fourth period. I linked my teacher in that class and let him know what was going on.

I wanted to get to Echo. I should’ve known something would happen. When I felt her fear through our bond, I tried to get out of class, but Mr. Hayes was human and wouldn’t have understood why I needed to leave. He had a strict ‘no hall pass’ policy.

We rushed to Moxon’s office and knocked on the closed door. He came out and motioned to the empty meeting office next to his. I didn’t know why he was keeping me from Echo, but I went into the other office anyway. He closed the door behind us.

“Gray, your mate needs help. She’s dealt with a lot of abuse in her life and the kidnapping added a whole level of trauma to her experience that she had never experienced before. I’m thinking about sending her home for the rest of the day. I know she lives with a vampire. Is there anyone who can come get her?” Moxon asked.

“Yeah, but it might be better if I can take her. She knows them, but there’s no one she’s really connected with at home. I can get her settled and be back in time for fifth period.” I offered.

“That may be for the best. She’ll want her mate with her. She fell asleep after crying for a while. I have Link coming to meet with her on Tuesdays during first period. He’ll keep the time open for her after school ends, too. That way she can continue getting help.” He said.

“Thanks. I didn’t know how bad it was for her, before Victor saved her, until just yesterday. I’ve had some flashes of what happened when she was taken, but I didn’t want to push her to talk about it.”

“You’re trying to take care of her, that’s good. Just, don’t let her sit with this. It can start eating at her. Letting her pretend she’s fine isn’t going to help either. I know you young pups all want to focus on the happy, easy stuff, but Echo needs to be able to talk about the hard stuff. I’m not saying make your whole life about it, but don’t try to change the subject if she starts talking about it. Listen to her. Talk to her.” Moxon instructed.

“Got it. Can I take her home now? I want to make sure she’s safely with Victor. I know he’s still sleeping, but she can rest with him until he wakes up and he can take care of her.” I said.

“Go ahead. I had her teachers send her missing work and work for today down. She has a lot to make up.” He replied.

“I’ll help her as much as I can.” I told him and turned to leave the meeting room.

When I entered the office, Val and Harmony looked up at me. Echo was curled up between them. It seemed that Echo’s crying had affected Harmony. She had a hollow look in her eyes, as if she’d been crying too.

I crouched down in front of Echo and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She opened her eyes a little and caught my hand. Echo brought my hand back to her cheek and rubbed her face against it. I smiled at her.

“Are you ready to go home, angel?” I asked.

“Did I sleep all day? I can ride the bus. You had something you were going to do after school today.” She answered in a breathy voice.

“It’s just about lunch time. We can go pick something up from a drive-thru and then I’ll take you home. You can lay with Victor until he wakes up.” I told her gently.

Echo looked worried as she sat up and rubbed her eyes. She glanced around the room nervously.

“I can stay at school today. I didn’t mean to get so upset.” Echo insisted.

“It’s not that, angel. You need more rest than we thought. Why don’t you go to the restroom and wash your face? We’ll head out as soon as you’re ready.” I said, pulling her to stand.

She left the room and I let out a relieved sigh. I thought she would fight more. Thank the goddess that she didn’t.

Harmony got up and went to hug Cam. “She said my name is Hannah. No one told me we had different names. Only that we were taken. She said we were already eighteen, too.”

“Yeah. She said the vampire told our mom she was wrong about our birthday. Is that true, Gray?” Val asked.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know much. I saw some flashes of things that happened to her there. She fed us information mentally, but she never said anything about her birthday or a different name.” I replied.

“Her name is Emily. I like that better than Echo. I wonder what our parents were like.” Harmony murmured.

“I bet they were great, babe. They made you. I think I like Harmony more than I like Hannah, though. If you want to change it, I’ll learn to love it.” Cam said.

“I like Harmony more, too.” She said softly.

“Echo kept telling him that her name wasn’t Emily. I will support her in whatever she decides, but I think she prefers Echo.” I told them.

“I think we all grew up with these names so it’s hard to think of being called anything else at this point. We should take some time to think about what we really want. I wouldn’t mind being called John, though.” Val chuckled. “I never really liked my name that much.”

“Will Echo be alright, Gray?” Harmony asked.

“She will be. Victor and I will take care of her. We’ll do everything we can to make sure she’s happy and healthy.” I assured her.

“I would prefer if Echo came to stay with us, so we could take care of her.” Val said.

“Supernatural beings need each other to be healthy. Before she had me and Victor, you and Harmony were enough. Now that she’s found her mates, being with us will be healthier for her. She’ll find more comfort and feel safer around us. Trust me, if being with you would heal her faster, I’d be packing her up right now.” I told him.

“I would just prefer if it were only you. I don’t like the idea of Echo depending on a vampire. They were the ones who hurt her. He could just be using her for her blood. Or whatever that other vampire wanted her for.” Harmony insisted.

“Stop that, now.” I growled. “You haven’t spent enough time around them to see the truth. Victor loves Echo. He loves her as much as I do. He’s her mate, too.”

“Just because she marked him, doesn’t mean he’s her mate!” She insisted. “You’re her mate. I can’t believe I’m the only one who can see that she belongs only with you, Gray! She can’t love both of you the same. Why doesn’t anyone else see it?! She only needs you! If you keep sharing her, he’s going to steal her from us. He’s going to make her a vampire and we’ll never see her again! Echo deserves to be loved, not used! She just doesn’t know any better and thinks she loves him!”

Echo came into the room. It was clear that she’d heard her sister. The look on her face was upsetting. She looked hurt and angry all at the same time. Echo closed the door behind her and stared at Harmony.

“This is the last time I will address this, so listen closely. My relationship is my own. The way I handle it is the business of me and my mates. It doesn’t matter what you think. What either of you think. Victor is my Solus Amor. Grayson is my mate. I will not give them up. They love me and I love them. I will not listen to you disparage either of the men I love.

Victor is the Master of this territory. We’re not going to leave. We’re staying right here. All three of us. You don’t know my mind or my heart, Harmony. Don’t try to pretend you do. I know you just want me to make smart decisions, Valor, but giving up on the people I love, any of the people I love, isn’t something I’m willing to do.

This arrangement may be unconventional, but it fits me perfectly. If I find either of you trying to control my relationship, I won’t speak to you for a month. These are my husbands. My mates. The men who will be the fathers of my children, when I’m ready for that. If you ever want to spend time with those children, or me, I suggest you learn your place, which is not in the middle of my relationship.” Echo warned.

She was beautiful when she was angry. Her eyes glowed like an angry vampire. I never thought I’d find an angry woman as sexy as I found Echo. I walked toward her and took her in my arms. Echo wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed her face into my chest.

“I… I didn’t mean anything by it. It doesn’t make sense to me. Everyone keeps pushing for you and both of them. It just doesn’t seem right. What about when you do… you know… bedroom stuff?” Harmony asked softly.

“That’s none of your business, Harmony. What I do with them in my bedroom is my business only. Stop this. I don’t want to have to stop talking to you. I will, but it will hurt me more than it will hurt you. Just not as much as you saying mean things about my mates hurts me.” Echo replied.

“Let’s drop this for now. I’m taking Echo home. To our home.” I stated firmly.

I guided Echo out of the office. We stopped so she could sign out for the day. I took her to my truck and helped her in. I drove her to a fast food restaurant and we grabbed a couple burgers and drinks. I took her to a park to sit and eat.

“Do you think I can’t love you both the same? Am I being selfish by keeping both of you, Gray?” Echo asked after she finished her meal.

“You have the biggest heart of anyone I know. If either of us had a problem with sharing you, we’d give up.” I assured her.

“Victor tried to give me up.” She whispered.

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